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Oakland A's exercise options on Coco Crisp, Brett Anderson

By John Hickey

jhickey@bayareanewsgroup

Posted:
11/01/2013 11:25:35 AM PDT

Updated:
11/01/2013 11:44:19 AM PDT

OAKLAND -- The A's picked up the options on left-handed starting pitcher Brett Anderson and center fielder Coco Crisp while deciding against keeping catcher Kurt Suzuki and outfielder Chris Young, the club announced Friday.

Suzuki, who was to make $8.5 million if his option had been picked up, and Young ($11 million) are now free agents.

Anderson's option is for $8 million and Crisp's is at $7.5 million.

Anderson, whose injuries forced him into the bullpen in 2013, is a starter, one of six on the A's roster heading into the 2014 season. The others are Jarrod Parker, A.J. Griffin, Tommy Milone, Dan Straily and Sonny Gray. The team also is looking at bringing back free agent Bartolo Colon. Anderson and Milone are the only lefties in the group.

Oakland Athletics' Coco Crisp (4) reacts to striking out looking against Detroit Tigers' starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) in the fourth inning of Game 2 of the American League Division Series at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
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Ray Chavez
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For that reason, and especially if Colon returns, the A's might find it expedient to trade one of their starters, and Anderson, whose name has frequently been linked in trade talks with Toronto, is perhaps the likeliest member of the rotation to be dealt.

As for Crisp, who told the Bay Area News Group after the A's post-season ended in a Game 5 loss in the American League Division Series to Detroit that he was hoping for an extension, could get one.

The club and Crisp's agent, Steve Comte, have taken up the subject of an extension for the 33-year-old, who became a 20-homer, 20-steals man for the first time in his career in 2013.

The A's will pay $1.5 million to buy out Young's option and $650,000 to buy out Suzuki, according to the Associated Press.